Introduction
Erika Bailey-Johnson just wrapped up her tenth year as the Sustainability Director at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota. She works in the Ganawendakamigaawigamig (Office of Earth-Caretaking or Sustainability Office) and coordinates the People of the Environment academic program. She completed her BA in Biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris and her Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from BSU. Her background is in science teaching, and Erika and her husband taught for two years in Mexico and three years in Kuwait before returning home to Northern Minnesota. In 2014, Erika was named one of the top 40 under 40 business professionals in the region by Prairie Business Magazine, and in 2015 as one of the top 40 under 40 professionals in the Midwest working to accelerate America’s transition to a clean energy economy by Midwest Energy News. She was recently appointed to Governor Dayton’s Committee on Pollinator Protection. She speaks at regional and national conferences on BSU’s unique sustainability model which includes a wellness component and an emphasis on integrating Indigenous voices. Erika is currently on the board for Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River and the alumni board for the University of Minnesota, Morris. She is a founding member of the City of Bemidji Sustainability Committee, and recently became the Director of the Niizoo-gwayakochigewin project to integrate an indigenous lens into campus sustainability work and academic programs. Erika maintains an active schedule with two young boys and a passion to make the Bemidji community a healthier and more sustainable place.